World hearing day in Madagascar

©CBM

World hearing day in Madagascar 09 March 2018

The World Hearing Day was celebrated on 9th March 2018 in Madagascar, at the Commune of Imerintsiatosika, located 30km of Antananarivo. The ceremony was organized by the Ministry of Public Health, in collaboration with the ENT Malagasy Society (SMORL), and the SALFA, the partner for the MAHENO ENT Project supported by CBM.

Be prepared to hear the furture

The theme for this year celebration “Be prepared to hear the future” was chosen, in view to raise people awareness on the importance of deafness prevention and of ear and hearing care. The event was well attended by representatives from the Ministry of Public Health, the local authorities lead by the Mayor, the Malagasy Society of ENT (SMORL), NGOs, and the community. 

Aareness raising and sensitization

To note, the ENT MAHENO is a multiyear project (2017-2018) supported by CBM and implemented by the local partner, the MLC SALFA in collaboration with the SMORL and the Ministry of Public Health. The project MAHENO (meaning hearing in Malagasy) is implemented in 3 regions of Madagascar (Analamanga, Vakinankaratra, and Antsiranana). It features the provision of ear and hearing care and surgery, with a special attention to vulnerable patients.

The project also includes the extension of the Audiology service at the SALFA hospital in Ambohibao; awareness raising and sensitization; outreach at community level for early detection; training of health workers at ENT clinics and within communities; provision of equipment and consumables; and cost recovery development.

Artistic performance and outreach activities marked the World Hearing Day celebration, including the free screening and ear and hearing care for more than 400 persons by voluntary doctors, members of SMORL.